Here’s what went down Monday on G&A…

Dave Burns filled in for the vacationing Gambo.

Two big, local Monday topics…

Second bye week - The Cards were hammered by Minnesota yesterday 35-14 to drop to 8-6.  This comes just one week after clinching the NFC West and a home playoff game for the first time in decades.  Ash was so disgusted, he left the game early.  He was unaware the Birds had a Week 15 bye week.  Burnsy wondered why Anquan Boldin had another case of the drops.  He’s not sure how much of an “advantage” University of Phoenix Stadium is anymore.  Both are concerned with Kurt Warner’s recent regression with no run-game to fall back on and fault the entire team for playing with such little passion with the national spotlight on Glendale (Joe Buck & Troy Aikman called the game on FOX).  Ash suggested Ken Whisenhunt sit Warner this weekend against the Patriots if the northeast winter weather is sketchy.  We took calls.

Suns’ Subplots - Tonight is not just another game for your Phoenix Suns.  The club is trying to mix in their newest piece (Jason Richardson) while “welcoming” back their old coach (Mike D’Antoni) who was largely responsible for their success over the past four years.  All of this, while All-Star Steve Nash continues to hint that he’s not all that happy with Terry Porter’s methodical system.  Burnsy feels D’Antoni deserves a standing ovation for making the Suns must-see hoops during his time on the bench.  Ash wonders if D’Antoni is owed such a warm welcome-especially after his pointed comments last week when the “divorce” story was, for the most part, dead.  He feels booing coach Mike would be out of line and classless.  The guys are curious why Steve Nash doesn’t quit whining, shut up, and play-regardless of how he feels about the new system.  Which was more enjoyable for the fans:  1992-93 Championship runner-up season featuring Charles Barkley and a fluent cast of youth and veterans or the 4-year era of run-and-gun under Mike D’Antoni?  We took calls.

Gambo returns Tuesday.

We’ll be joined by ESPN college football analyst Mark May.

Here’s what went down Friday on G&A

Ugly Divorce - Mike D’Antoni spoke out today clearing the air regarding the riff between he and management, which eventually led to D’Antoni leaving to coach the Knicks this summer.  Gambo defended D’Antoni’s decisions on how he handled players on and off the floor.  That being said, G&A agree management did everything in their power to support D’Antoni and his system, but felt a change was needed when Coach Mike didn’t put more emphasis on defense both in practice and during games.  Ash feels the former Phoenix coach should be applauded for the excitement he brought to the franchise, but a mutual parting was the best for all parties involved.  We took calls.

Suns majority owner Robert Sarver joined the show to discuss the big 5-player deal that landed talented guard Jason Richardson in the Valley and Mike D’Antoni’s recent comments regarding his divorce with the club last summer.  Sarver said he considered D’Antoni a friend, but felt his comments regarding Steve Kerr allegedly “pushing him out” were way off base.

World renowned sports handicapper Brandon Lang joined the show to share his insight on all the big NFL matchups.  Lang likes the Giants and Falcons to cover the number Sunday.

Our ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth previewed the Vikings-Cardinals game Sunday in Glendale, the reported conflict between Terrell Owens and Tony Romo, the future of Jack del Rio in Jacksonville, and everything else making headlines around the league.

Gambo is off Monday-Burnsy fills in with Ash.

 

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Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A…

Done Deal - The Suns will have a new look - possibly as early as tomorrow night against Orlando following yesterday’s 5-player deal with the Bobcats.  Ash thinks the Suns’ players (particularly Steve Nash & Amare) need to turn the page on Raja Bell and Boris Diaw and welcome Jason Richardson who will likely spread the floor and open up the middle for STAT and Shaquille O’Neal.  Gambo loves the deal because chemistry was clearly an issue and the teams inconsistent play showed as much.  He also reported that Bell was not happy about the club’s willingness to not grant him an extension before the season.

The guys caught up with now former Sun Boris Diaw who was part of the deal yesterday.  The forward said the trade to Phoenix from the Hawks was the best thing that happened to his career and he holds no grudges moving forward.  He also admitted he “wasn’t having as much fun” this year and looks forward to the new challenge in Charlotte.

Former Desert Vista High and UA star, now starting wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings Bobby Wade previewed his homecoming this weekend against the Cards.  Wade leads the Vikes in catches (42) and is 2nd in receiving yards (442).

Earning his (pin)Stripes - It appears C.C. Sabathia will be a member of the New York Yankees and teams around baseball are not happy.  In the middle of this economic crunch, the Yankees are throwing around cash like it’s growing on trees.  With the Yankees, it pretty much does.  Gambo has no problem with this because they can afford to drop $161 million for a legit ace in Sabathia.  He feels the Yankees spending money helps every other team because of the luxury tax.  Ash has no problem with this -  especially when some small-market, yet savvy teams (the Twins) continue to compete year after year with a downsized payroll.  We took calls.

Trouble in Big D - Jason Witten gets more balls thrown to him than any other Cowboy receiver.  Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, and Roy Williams aren’t happy about it.  So much so, they feel quarterback Tony Romo and Witten are conspiring against the trio.  G&A are outraged at the way this has been handled and doesn’t necessarily blame Romo for trusting Witten.  Ash thinks Owens is fine on the field (good, not great receiver), but not worth the trouble off it (locker room cancer).  Gambo feels T.O. can’t shut his mouth.  We took calls.

Our ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler broke down yesterday’s big trade involving Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and the newest pair of Suns - Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley.  “Legs” loved the deal for Phoenix because the Suns got so much in return with Richardson while only parting with the underachieving Diaw and the aging Bell.  He thinks we’ll see a 180 degree change in the club’s chemistry.

Friday we’ll be joined by ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth and sports handicapper Brandon Lang.

 

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Here’s what went down Wednesday on G&A…

Vince Marotta filled in for the vacationing Gambo.

Picking Up the Pace - The Suns improved to 13-9 with a 125-110 win over the Bucks.  Raja Bell commented after the game that Terry Porter is attempting to transform the offense into a “hybrid” mix of the Suns’ usual up-tempo pace (74 1st half points last night)-while still getting the ball inside to Shaq and Amare (57 combined points).  Ash believes this “hybrid” offense could be just what this team needs because moral has never been lower than it has to begin the season.  Vince thinks the Suns need to go back to the fast-paced style because that’s what the team and the fans want.  The guys feel the Suns usually get a raw deal in their back-to-back games.  Case in point-playing the Lakers at Staples Center tonight.  We took calls.

Arizona State Director of Athletics Lisa Love checks in for her weekly segment to share her final thoughts on the disappointing 2008 Sun Devil football season and discuss the 18th-ranked men’s hoops squad who improved to 7-1 with a 20-point win over Nebraska Sunday at Wells Fargo.

Another One Bites the Dust? - Just days after reports leaked the Coyotes could lose up to $35 million this year, now it appears there will be no AFL/Arizona Rattlers season in 2009.  The Snake Pit will likely remain quiet until 2110, at least.  Ash thinks this would completely kill the league if play were suspended this season.  Vince wonders how the league, which was growing in popularity and fan attendance, can do any more to survive in today’s economic state.  Both will miss the Rattlers, but think losing a more “mainstream” sport would be more crippling to local sports fans.

Cards Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald shared his thoughts on the Red Birds winning the NFC West with Sunday’s blowout win over the Rams and playing against his hometown Minnesota Vikings this weekend in Glendale.

For Whom the Bell Tolls - The Suns pulled off a blockbuster deal this afternoon sending Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and Sean Singletary to Charlotte for Jason Richardson, forward Jared Dudley, and a future 2nd-round pick.  Ash likes the trade for the simple fact that some team actually took Diaw’s ridiculous contract (see Marcus Banks) and inconsistent play.  Vince feels in acquiring Richardson the Suns added a versatile scoring shooting guard who will create match-up problems because of his size.  Both feel this trade, if nothing else, makes the Suns relevant again.

Gambo called in to break down the deal.  He likes it because Bell was becoming more and more of a distraction off-the-court and feels Diaw has peaked as player and will never live up to the lofty expectations they club had when they signed him to an extension.  Gambo reported the  Suns will be in the market for Steve Nash’s back-up to fill the vacant roster spot.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr joined the guys to discuss the deal.  He feels a shake-up was needed because the team was stagnant and inconsistent, at best.  He believes adding the younger Richardson to the lineup will be a big upgrade at both ends of the floor and hinted the dealing may not be over just yet.

Gambo returns tomorrow.

We’ll be joined by ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler and former UofA star, now Vikings starting wide receiver Bobby Wade.

 

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Here’s what went down Monday on G&A

Playoffs! - Brace yourself - the Arizona Cardinals are NFC West Champions and will host a playoff game.  G&A feel there’s still plenty of work to do in hopes of attaining the 3-seed.  Gambo hopes the Red Birds re-sign Kurt Warner, even if that means trading Anquan Boldin.  Reports say the Super Bowl champion Giants might pursue “Q” this off-season if troubled Plaxico Burress does not return.  Ash thinks it’s time the tradition-less Cardinals create their own niche for the upcoming playoff game.  How about a “Red Out” at University of Phoenix Stadium?  We took calls.

Cardinals’ head coach Ken Whisenhunt joined the show to discuss the Red Birds’ NFC West-clinching 34-10 win over the Rams yesterday at University of Phoenix Stadium.  He doesn’t plan on resting his starters unless the highest possible seed is clinched in the final weeks.  The 8-5 Cards host the NFC North-leading Vikings Sunday.

Pathetic Performance - The Sun Devils were blown out Saturday night in Tucson and the Rudy Carpenter Era is over.  G&A agree it’s time for Dennis Erickson, a very good recruiter, to step up his game.  Gambo thinks the biggest problem is offensive coordinator Rich Olson.  Ash, never a fan of Olson dating back to his days with the Cardinals, feels Erickson needs to shake up his staff and it starts with the o-coordinator.  Gambo wished they would have benched Carpenter weeks ago.

Former UA star, now Milwaukee Buck starting forward Richard Jefferson, discussed his first season after coming over in a summer trade from New Jersey.  He is being honored tonight in Tucson for his $3.5 million donation that funded the Richard Jefferson Gym which the Wildcats will use for practice.  The former Moon Valley High star hopes AD Jim Livengood brings in a “big name” to replace Lute Olson.  “RJ” is averaging a team-high 18 points a game and shooting 40% on three-pointers.

BCS is Set - Florida knocked off stingy Alabama and Oklahoma held serve against Mizzou to set up what should be a great BCS Championship January 8th in Miami.  The Fiesta Bowl features a pair of heavyweights - Texas and Ohio State.  Gambo thinks was a no-brainer for John Junker and his staff.  This will likely draw huge TV numbers, but can the Buckeyes keep it close?  Ash doesn’t seem to think so, but thinks the Oklahoma-Florida match-up is dead-on.

Tuesday we’ll be joined by ESPN college football analyst Mark May.

 

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